Doug Plank : Assistant Defensive Backs : Official Jets Bio : New York Jets Team News

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Doug Plank

Doug Plank

Position: Assistant Defensive Backs
Jets Seasons: 1
NFL Coaching seasons: 2
Age: 57

■ Doug Plank joins the Jets after working as a coaching assistant with the Atlanta Falcons in 2008.

■ Plank was a head coach in the Arena Football League. He compiled a 47-25 record, coached four playoff teams in four years, and was named AFL Coach of the Year twice.

PLAYING CAREER

■ Plank was a 12th-round pick by Chicago in the 1975 NFL Draft and started eight seasons for the Bears. He was the first Bears rookie ever to lead the team in tackles and tallied three 100-plus tackle seasons in his career.

■ The Bears' “46 Defense” in the Eighties was developed by Buddy Ryan, father of Rex Ryan, and was named after Plank’s No. 46 jersey.

■ He finished his playing career with the USFL’s Chicago Blitz in 1983.

■ He played in three Rose Bowls at safety for Woody Hayes at Ohio State. The Buckeyes were 29-4-1 during his three seasons. He made a game-saving tackle vs. Michigan to send Ohio State to the 1974 Rose Bowl.

■ He was an all-state running back at Norwin HS in Irwin, PA.

OFF THE FIELD

■ Plank was born in Greensburg, PA, and captained the baseball and basketball teams at Norwin HS there.

■ He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology (criminology) from Ohio State.

■ He has been a color analyst for NFL games for the Sports USA Radio network.

■ He spent 20 years in private business operating fast food restaurants.